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Description: | At the time this song was written Newgate Street, in Newcastle City Centre, seemed to accommodate many of the town's gamblers. Racing was one of the few leisure pursuits enjoyed by all classes. Men gambled on anything, but a constant favourite was horse racing. Gambling became such a passion with the lower classes that an Act in 1740 attempted to make the sport more exclusive. Its popularity, however, only increased. Described here is the pleasure of having backed a 'winner'.The song forms part of a song book by Tyneside composer, Joe Wilson. Early editions of Joe Wilson's songs were published as penny song books, many of which he printed himself. As the performer's reputation grew, he decided to issue five song books, of which this book forms part 2, for the price of 6d. These were eventually issued collectively under the title of 'Tyneside songs and Drolleries ... [etc.]'. It is not known exactly when the book was published, but we can estimate that it was sometime between 1865 and 1869.Joe Wilson, was born in Newcastle on the 29th November, 1841. At the age of fourteen Wilson joined a printers firm where he was able to indulge his love of song writing, three years later publishing his first song book. By the age of twenty-five the songwriter was touring Ned Corvan's old circuit, entertaining the crowds with his songs of domestic life. It was with songs such as 'Aw wish yor muther wad cum' and 'Dinnet clash the door' that Wilson founded his success. By the time Thomas Allan issued his fourth edition of Tyneside songs, most of Wilson's songs had been published and Allan had finally gained control of the copyright. After a short stint as the landlord of the Adelaide Hotel in 1871 Wilson returned to concert life, but sadly died shortly after at the age of thirty-three. ; Songs by nineteenth century Music Hall artist Joe Wilson | Publisher: | J. Wilson Newcastle upon Tyne | Rights holder: | rights holder : Newcastle University | Subjects: | entertainment and sport Leisure sport & races & gambling | Temporal: | start=1861;end=1900; | Source: | Folk Archive Resource North East | Identifier: | farne:N3805502 | Go to resource |
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